How can I set up a path so that different files can correspond to different photos. There is a folder of photos.

I guess you want to reference a record with its correspondent file, am I right?

If so, you may acquire a PlugIn (the Troi File PlugIn is excellent for such) or, if you are using Apple Macintosh running OS X 10.3.x and up, you may use Applescript for this task.

Just for the sake of providing an answer for your problem, I'll assume you're using a Macintosh running OS X version 10.3.x or newer, and explain to you how to accomplish it using AppleScript.

Here's a way to do it. In your FMP Solution:

• Create a new text field for storing the path (for this example, I'll call it photo_path)

• Create a new script with the following steps:

Perform Applescript (from miscellaneous)

Paste (from editing)

• On the first step, you will insert your Applescript Code, and on the second one, you'll select the text field you've just created (photo_path) and check the options "Select Entire Contents," "Go to Target Field," and "Paste Without Style."

When you perform the script from your solution, the Finder pauses FMP and presents you with a navigation window so you may choose a file. On the lower part of this window there are two options: "choose" and "cancel."

After selecting the desired file and clicking on "choose," appleScript presents you with the path to be copied and two new options: "Cancel" and "Copy". By clicking on "Copy" (the default option), you copy the path data into the clipboard and allow FMP to resume the script, which will paste it from the clipboard into the field photo_path. If you click on the "Cancel" option, you will zero or clear the clipboard and -- when FM resumes -- the field photo_path as well.

One more thing: the AppleScript above references a file. If you need it to reference a folder, send me a private message, and I will send you some examples.

AppleScript is Apple's native scripting language, and has been part of Mac OS since version 7.1.1. It's a powerful tool for automation that allows many applications to interact with the Finder as well as to each other. If you're working on the Windows Platform, I believe you'll need to acquire the Troi File PlugIn.

If you want to know more about AppleScripting, Macscripter is probably the best place to start; if you want to know more about Troi and their great plugins, visit their website.